Binocular leads Champion field

Binocular could be part of the largest field for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle in 18 years with Nicky Henderson’s hot favourite one of 24 horses declared for Tuesday’s main event.

Should all line up, it will equal the number involved when Morley Street triumphed in 1991 but with about 10mm of rain forecast by the start of the meeting, Nicky Henderson’s charge is expected to drift in the market.